From Authority to Individualism

Puritanism

1600s Church = foundation of social order church membership required to participate in

politics original sin and predestination strong sense of sovereignty of God & depravity

of humanity people innately unequal

Puritans continued Utopian ideal - “City upon a Hill” written agreements: compacts, contracts,

covenants distribution of communal lands based on family

size, need, and skills valued by the community Puritan work ethic everyone was legally required to attend church

services

The Great Awakening

Early-mid 1700s Puritan piety eroded by New World

atmosphere of individualism, optimism, and enterprise emotional effort to reassert extreme peity

characterized by fervent expressions of religious feeling among masses

Great Awakening Continued Most notable sermon: Sinners in the Hands

of an Angry God A heart open to the Divine Spirit more

important than highly trained intellect Congregationalists (Puritans) denounced the

G.A. for allowing uneducated men to be preachers

Preached doctrine of salvation for ALL

Religious Impact of Great Awakening Ministers lost authority people started studying Bible in own homes conflict between “Old Lights” & “New

Lights” Newer, more evangelical sects (i.e. Baptists

& Methodists) religious diversity & competition to attract followers

Political Impact of G.A.

Democratizing effect changed view of authority If the common people could make their own

religious decisions w/out relying on ministers, then might they also make their own political decisions w/out deferring to political elite?

Enlightenment 1700s God made humans & gave them the powers of

observation and reason natural laws God like a watchmaker John Locke - natural rights Citizens have a right & obligation to rebel

against gov’t that fails to protect rights

I. Puritan farmer in Mass (1640)II. Baptist seaman in Rhode Island (1740)III. Scholar of the Enlightenment in VA (1765)

How would the people above feel about the following issues:

A. his concept of God

B. individual’s reason for existence

C. individual’s relationship with the church

D. The need for education

E. Individual’s role in government